By Dr. Muhammad Abduh Yamani
Today we return to the “Deputy of the Haram” column after a brief visit to the “Dakkat al‑Aghawat,” and after receiving from the “Sublime Porte” all permissions to resume writing without reproach. These expressions were used during the Ottoman era, when people would say: “A decree has come to us from the Sublime Porte.” Thus, the coming installments will continue what we began earlier.
This is a story I recount about His Majesty King Saud—may God have mercy on him—during his time in Mecca. He had ordered the expansion of certain areas of the Sacred Mosque, paying great attention to the project and its swift execution, as the number of pilgrims had increased and the mosque could no longer accommodate them during prayer. Work on the project began, and among the properties expropriated for it was a house belonging to the Al‑Sheibi family, the custodians of the Kaaba. Living in that house was an elderly, dignified, and respected lady from the family.
After the expropriation order, she waited for the compensation that would allow her to purchase another home. But the compensation procedures were delayed, and she became distressed. One day, our dear friend Sayyid Ahmad Abdul‑Wahhab, Deputy of the Haram, visited her. The two families had long been closely connected—one honored with the custodianship of the Kaaba, the other with the office of Deputy of the Haram. She complained to him about the delay in compensation, expressing deep anger, saying:
“So now we are to live in an alley? Our only wealth is our home, and they have not given us compensation!”
He tried to calm her and explain that some procedures were delayed, but she refused to accept this and said she would send a telegram to the King, informing him that “the Al‑Sheibi family is living in an alley.”
Sayyid Ahmad left her, still trying to soothe her concerns, and went to one of the senior members of the Al‑Sheibi family at the time, Sayyid Asim Sheibi, a lawyer. He asked him to help calm the situation. To his surprise, Sayyid Asim showed him a telegram he had already sent to King Saud, containing a long message that included:
“On behalf of the lady who owns the house, we inform Your Majesty that in your blessed reign, the Al‑Sheibi family is living in an alley.”
Sayyid Ahmad felt embarrassed, as the telegram had already been sent. He rushed to the Royal Court to help resolve the matter and expedite the compensation. There he met Sheikh Saleh Al‑Abbad, the head of the Royal Court at the time. As he greeted him and attempted to raise the issue gently, Sheikh Saleh surprised him by informing him that the King had already seen the telegram and had ordered—may God have mercy on him—that a house be purchased for the family immediately and that they be settled in it. He also ordered that they receive their full compensation without delay, and that the lady who sent the telegram be reassured of his personal attention, appreciation, and respect for the custodians of the Kaaba.
Thus the problem was resolved. The lady received her compensation, moved into her new home, and rejoiced. This incident reflects the compassion of this noble King, his concern for the dignity of his citizens, and his eagerness to ensure they received their rights. He did not become angry at the telegram; rather, he sought to reassure her.
The Station of Abraham (Maqam Ibrahim)
Another incident is also remembered about King Saud—may God have mercy on him. People complained to him that the Station of Abraham, located in the middle of the circumambulation area, had become an obstacle to pilgrims due to the increasing crowds, especially during Hajj, Umrah, and Ramadan. He consulted the scholars about moving the Maqam backward near the colonnade. Arrangements were made, and the builder Muhammad bin Laden was instructed to construct a new structure for the Maqam in the rear and relocate it.
Some time later, Sheikh Muhammad Metwally Al‑Sha‘rawi—may God have mercy on him—visited Mecca. When he saw the new structure and heard of the relocation plan, he objected. He informed the scholars and those present at the Haram—among them his student, Sheikh Hassan bin Abdullah Al‑Sheikh—that moving the Maqam was impermissible. He decided to write to King Saud, stating that the Maqam must not be moved because:
“Its place is fixed, and the stone upon which our father Abraham stood is fixed. It is not permissible to move it backward.”
He narrated to the King the story of Caliph Umar ibn Al‑Khattab, when a flood known as “Umm Nahshal” displaced the Maqam. Umar insisted on returning it to its exact original location without alteration. One of the Companions, Al‑Mutallib ibn Abi Wada‘ah Al‑Sahmi, had previously measured the distances between the Kaaba and the Maqam, and these measurements are recorded in the books of Seerah. Umar ensured the stone was restored precisely to its place.
After reading Sheikh Al‑Sha‘rawi’s telegram and consulting the scholars, King Saud ordered that the Maqam remain in its original location—exactly as it is today—and that the newly built structure behind it be demolished. He received widespread praise from the Islamic world for this decision, which demonstrated his commitment to preserving sacred sites exactly as they were, and ensuring that no alteration be made except in accordance with the commands of God and the guidance of His Messenger ﷺ.
May God have mercy on King Saud and envelop him in His forgiveness. He was a man of great heart and generous hand. Today he rests with his Lord, and we ask God to grant him mercy and pardon.
God is the One who grants success and guides to the straight path.